Volume 4, Issue 1 C H Williams Talhar Wong & Yeo Sdn. Bhd. (24706-T) January - March, 2006

“Work Together With You” PPK 344/6/2006

MUKAH - THE MELANAU HEARTLAND

Area/Population of Division 6,997.6 sq km/105,591 Area/Population of Mukah District 2,536.0 sq km/42,498 Major industries Agricultural-base industries and fisheries Natural Feature Beach Landmarks Menara Pehin Setia Raja, Lamin Dana, Kingwood Resort

Mukah, with a divisional population of 105,591 (2004), was made ’s 10th Division on 1st March, 2002, covering the Districts of Mukah, Dalat, Matu and Daro. Previously, Mukah was under the administration of Division.

Situated in the Central Region of Sarawak, Mukah is a coastal town facing the , with a 200 km coastline. It is bordered by the Divisions of on the South West, Sibu on the South and on the North East. This division is accessible by air, road and river. The RM48 million Mukah Bridge, completed on August 31, 2005, connects Mukah to the main road leading to the Pan- Highway. Inside this issue: Population MUKAH - THE MELANAU has about 5% of the total population of Sarawak in 2000 and Mukah District HEARTLAND ...... 1 is the 12th largest District (out of 30 Districts) in Sarawak. Mukah District recorded positive growth of 2.10% and 0.77% per annum in the last 2 decades respectively. Mukah has been COMMODITIES ...... 4 gaining much exposure and investment since its declaration as a Division. However, Mukah is still essentially 100% rural (Source : Population Census 2000). ECONOMY ...... 5

Mukah’s population is very young with more than 50% below 24 years old. The main ethnic NEW PROJECTS ...... 6 group in Mukah is the Melanaus which makes up more than half of the population.

NEW PROJECTS SUMMARY % of population by ethnic group QTR 1 2006 ...... 8 Other non-Bumi, 814, 0.79%

Other Bumis, 671, 0.65% NEWS ...... 9 Chinese, 5777, 5.57% , 3216, 3.10% SHEDA LUNCHEON TALK ...... 11 , 208, 0.20%

MIDS LAUNCHES READY-BUILT Iban, 36497, 35.20% Melanau, 56488, 54.49% FACTORIES ...... 12 Page 2 Volume 4, Issue 1

MUKAH - THE MELANAU HEARTLAND

Economy Airports

The Mukah economy depends on commercialized agricultural No. of Visitors by Point of Entry products and fisheries with and industrial being the new Mukah New Airport 6,858 sectors. The main agricultural products of Mukah are sago and oil palm. Further expansion is underway for commercial Tanjung Manis Airport 3,942 oil palm cultivation in this Division. 10,800 Type of Crop, Quantity and Value of Output Source : Majlis Daerah Dalat Mukah and Majlis Daerah Matu Daro, 2003 Area Output Value Mukah have 2 airports which only cater for light carriers such Crop (ha) (tonne) (RM) as the Twin Otter or Donnier and recently, the Fokker. Oil Palm 31,647 NA NA The was recently extended at a cost of RM9.49 Coconut 1,575 1,047 283,765 million and declared open on 8.9.2005 to accommodate Fokker Cocoa 15 5 9,600 aircrafts. A 2nd phase of the airport extension project costing Rubber 2,435 NA NA about RM75 million is on the drawing board and would include Padi 6,635 11,131 7,026,000 upgrading of the terminal hall. Black Pepper 144 650,875 2,603,500 Hotels/Accommodation Sago 36,250 7,953,750 33,453,375 Banana 267 1,809 723,600 There are few hotels in Mukah Division and the ones existing Lime/Lemon 386 689 563,750 are mostly budget hotels with less than 30 rooms. Most of Others 478 NA NA the hotels are located in the Mukah District where most of the Source : Agricultural Department, Mukah Division, 2004 commercial and business activities are.

However, tourism in Mukah was given a boost recently with Tourism the addition of the Kingwood Mukah Resort Hotel, a 4-star 99- room hotel which was officially opened on 24th March 2006. Mukah, with its idyllic setting and unique cultural heritage, is Developed by Kingwood Group of Companies, the hotel offers becoming increasingly popular among local and foreign visitors. banquet hall, swimming pool and 9-hole golf course facilities. The Sarawak State Government has taken notice of Mukah’s potential as a tourism centre in Sarawak and has undertaken Hotels/Accommodation in Mukah various infrastructural and social projects to open up Mukah Type Star Rating No. No. of Rooms to the rest of Sarawak. Hotel * 4 1 99 Budget Hotel - 9 142 Among the places of interest in Mukah are : Lodging House - 8 70 • Bruit National Park, Daro Rest House - 5 16 • Sungai Pasin Wildlife Park, Matu Homestay - 2 16 • Kpg Sok Melanau Longhouse, Matu • Sago Farm, Dalat Chalet - 15 16 • Kenyana Lake, Mukah Total 40 359 •Taman Tanjung Pedada, Kpg. Tanjung, Mukah Source : Majlis Daerah Dalat, Mukah, Matu & Daro, 2004 * WTWY Research, 2005 • Kala Dana Recreation Park, Mukah • Setia Raja Boulevard Recreation Park, Mukah Commercial • Blue Horizon Beach, Mukah • Kampung Kuala Hilir Oya, dalat Except for Menara Pehin Setia Raja, there are no purpose-built •Telaga Penawar Kampung Jemoreng, Matu office or retail complexes in Mukah. Commercial developments • Belawai Beach, Daro in Mukah mostly take the form of shophouses. Mukah Town has a total of 258 units of 2 to 3 storey shophouses. Amongst the tourist attractions are the : • Homestay at Kpg. Sok Longhouse and Kpg. Senau, Oya The existing commercial stock in Mukah Division is as follows: • Lamin Dana Handicraft Center Type No. of Units • Kaul Festival Food & Drink Stalls 127 • River Cruise up Batang Mukah Market Stalls 87 • Fishing Safari • Melanau Mini Museum Restaurant 25 • Wildlife (Fauna & Flora) and peat swamp at Gambut Shophouse 700 Lock Up Shops 498 The highly touted Kaul Festival has been included in the Mini Market 8 Sarawak Tourism Calendar but plans are to include it in the Entertainment Outlet 6 national tourism agenda in order to attract international tourists to this annual event. 1451 Source : Majlis Daerah Dalat, Mukah, Matu & Daro, 2004 SARAWAK PROPERTY BULLETIN Page 3

MUKAH - THE MELANAU HEARTLAND

There are 2 insurance companies and 7 banking institutions The government has in 1996, also established the Mukah Light housed in shophouses in Mukah. Industrial Estate alongside the Mukah River, about 3 km from Mukah town. So far, 6 hectares of the area have been developed Residential out of a total planned area of 61 hectares. It has a lease period of 60 years and is selling at RM5-00 psf for filled land. Most of the residents in Mukah are housed in longhouses and kampungs (98%). There are only 10 housing estates in Mukah. The other industrial estate in Mukah Division is the Tanjung Manis Timber Processing Zone developed by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).

Various projects have been implemented in various fields in the past few years to further develop Mukah into a prospective growth centre. They are :

Education

As part of Mukah’s development and expansion plan, institutions of higher learning were built in Mukah, namely :

1. The Mukah Polytechnic which was built on a 100-acre site, about 8.5 km from Mukah town and completed in February 2005. Costing RM300 million, it comprises 52 buildings and student intake began in July 2005; No. of kampungs, longhouse and housing estates

Type No. of Units 2. The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) opened its doors to its 1st batch of 64 students and 4 staff members in Kampung 149 December, 2002. Longhouse 281 Housing Estate 10 These 2 institutions is expected to draw in some 5,000 students at any one time. Total 440 Source : Majlis Daerah Dalat, Mukah, Matu & Daro, 2004 A Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) will also be set up in Mukah at a new site on Section 76, Parcel 9, Mukah Land WTWY’s latest survey at end March, 2006 reveals that Mukah District which is approximately 33 acres in size. The project Town has a total of 639 units of dwelling houses in the housing was awarded to Naim Cendera Holdings Berhad on 20/3/2006 estates, with another 248 units under construction. There were at a contract value of RM48,000,000 and is expected to be 151 units launched during the 1st quarter 2006 which is a significantly higher number. These new launches were mostly completed by 9/4/2008 (KLSE Ref. : KK-060320-D2B6B). in the new areas of Jalan Orang Kaya Setia Raja and Mukah New Town. Infrastructure / Utility

Industries A RM48 million double-arch suspension bridge spanning the Mukah River near the Mukah/Sibu ferry terminals was There are various types of industries in Mukah housed in the completed and opened to the public on 16 September, 2005. various factories : It has become Mukah’s newest landmark as its design resembles the famous Harbour Bridge of . Type No. of factories Employment (no.) A coal-fired power station with a production capacity of 270 Sago/Flour 6 1000 MW of electricity will also be built in Mukah. The project valued Oil Palm 3 5000 at RM736 million will be handled by Sarawak Enterprise Tebaloi 3 100 Corporation Berhad with PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd as Confectionery 4 20 the infrastructural and site (non-plant) contractor for a contract Sawmill 21 500 sum of RM38 million (KLSE Ref.: CC-060317-34353) and China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation Furniture 1 200 as the plant contractor. Coal 2 50 Ice 1 50 With the opening up of Mukah since its declaration as a Division Total 41 6,920 in 2002 and the implementation of various projects, Mukah will soon be another commercial and tourist hub for Sarawak. Source : PUSAKA and Majlis Daerah Dalat Mukah, 2004 Page 4 Volume 4, Issue 1

OIL PALM OVERVIEW 2005 Prices of Sarawak Oil Exports (Edible & Non-Edible)

The Malaysian oil palm industry recorded a mixed Crude (RM/metric tonne) - Sarawak RM/tonne performance in 2005 due to the continued strong 1,600.00 growth in production. The prices and export earnings dipped, despite an increase in exports of all oil palm 1,400.00

T I E S products during the year. 1,200.00

The total oil palm planted area increased by 4.5% or 1,000.00

by 174,000 hectares to 4.0 million hectares in 2005 800.00 with remaining the largest oil palm planted State 600.00

with 1.2 million hectares or 30% of the total planted RM/metric tonne

area. 400.00

The production of crude palm oil continued to increase 200.00

for seven consecutive years reaching 15.0 million 0.00 tonnes in 2005 from 14.0 million tonnes the previous 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992* 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004p 2005e year due to increased productivity in terms of acreage Year Source: WTWY Research, 2006 C O M M O D I and effeciency.

The average prices of oil palm products retracted in Sarawak Palm Oil - RM/tonne RM/tonne 2005, after sustaining an upward trend during the past 1,800 three years. The price decline was attributed by the 1,600 high stocks at the beginning of the year, renewed concerns over the build-up in domestic stocks owing 1,400 to the slow pace of exports during the second-half of 1,200

the year and lower soyabean oil prices in the world 1,000 market. The average crude palm oil (CPO) price fell 800

13.4% or RM 216 to RM1,394 as against RM1,610 Price (RM/tonne) the previous year. 600

400

The year has been an eventful one for the Malaysian 200 palm oil industry as the National Biofuel Policy was 0 announced by the Government in August 2005 to spur 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004p 2005* RM/tonne 1,053 913 1,351 1,558 1,673 1,488 the development of the biofuel industry in . Year Three companies have established joint-ventures with Source: WTWY Research, 2006 MPOB to set up palm bio-diesel plants in the country and several other companies have also disclosed their intentions to build bio-diesel plants. 7,000 HECTARES OF COMMERCIAL OIL PALM A Perak-based company, Putaran Bijak Sdn Bhd is investing RM60 CPO production is forecasted to grow only slightly to million to develop about 7,000 hectares of commercial oil palm 15.1 million tonnes in 2006 after seven years of plantation on Native Customary Right (NCR) land in . This uninterrupted uptrend in production growth and this will be the 1st phase out of a total of 15,000 hectares. The 1st is expected to mitigate the pressure of the higher palm harvesting is expected to be carried out in 2007 with an estimated oil carry-over stocks. Demand for palm oil also looks RM11 million worth of palm oil for every harvest. One (1) processing promising with the abolishment of palm oil import quota mill was also planned to be set up after the 1st harvest. The total by China, trans-fat labeling in the US and increasing development cost under both phases is about RM100 million. The worldwide demand for biodiesel. Coupled with this project involving about 1,800 families from 83 longhouses in the nd and the projected higher growth in world oils and fats area, is the 2 commercial oil palm plantation on NCR land in demand against production, the outlook for palm oil Kanowit. prices in 2006 is optimistic, with average CPO price Source: Sarawak Tribune, 17/1/2006 estimated at RM1,600 per tonne, against last year’s RM1,394. Sarawak Major Export Commodities 2005 - % share

Source : Overview of the MPO industry 2005, MPOB, 14/2/2006 Machineries/Ship building (incl parts), 789.2, 1.89%

Monthly Average Crude Palm Oil Price (RM/tonne) Ceramics, 78.9, 0.19% 2004 - 2005 Aquaculture prdts, 121.8, 0.29% Others, 3770.9, 9.05% 2500.00 Agricultural, 352.8, 0.85%

2000.00 Palm Oil, 1512.9, 3.63%

1500.00 Timber & tbr prdts, 5765.4, 13.83%

1000.00 Oil & Gas (incl prdts), 29286, 70.27% Price (RM/tonne) 500.00 Oil & Gas (incl prdts) Timber & tbr prdts

0.00 Palm Oil Agricultural 123456789101112 2004 Price (RM) 1790.00 1894.00 2000.50 1977.50 1874.00 1548.50 1476.00 1483.00 1555.00 1470.00 1483.00 1420.50 Aquaculture prdts Ceramics 2005 Price (RM) 1338.00 1305.00 1427.50 1343.00 1414.50 1402.50 1409.00 1353.50 1387.50 1455.50 1423.00 1391.00 Month Machineries/Ship building(Incl parts) Others Source: WTWY Research, 2006 Source: WTWY Research, 2006 SARAWAK PROPERTY BULLETIN Page 5

BNM ANNUAL REPORT 2005 After the Federal Territory and Selangor, the east Malaysian M O N O C E states of Sabah and Sarawak have been given the biggest Despite the high oil prices and the downturn in the global electronics th st development allocation and expenditure under the 9 cycle in the 1 half of 2005, the Malaysian economy grew by 5.3% Malaysia Plan which is in line with its mission of developing in 2005, driven mainly by the private sector, backed by strong domestic less developed regions especially rural development. A total demand. This was due to the rising incomes, increased employment, of RM15.108 billion which is about 7% of the total budget low interest rates and accommodative financing conditions. This was has been allocated to Sarawak out of which RM13.437 billion also helped by an upturn in the global electronics cycle in the 2nd half will be for development. Emphasis will be on upgrading of of the year. While construction sector continue to contract, the property infrastructure and utility services in the rural areas of which sector especially the housing segment, continued to expand. Inflation RM702 million will be spent on improving rural roads in stood at 3% for the year 2005 against 1.4% in 2004. Sarawak and RM396 million on rural water supply. A considerable portion has also been allocated for agriculture GDP by Kind of Economic Activity (% change) development and eradication of poverty among the rural poor Y especially the Bumiputeras. 2004 2005p 2006f Real GDP 7.1 5.3 6.0 Federal government development allocation and (RM billion) 249.0 262.0 277.6 expenditure by states, 2001-2010 (RM million) Agriculture 5.0 2.1 2.0 8MP 9MP 8MP-9MP Mining & Quarrying 3.9 0.8 5.0 Private Development Manufacturing 9.8 4.9 7.0 State Expenditure Finance Total % Allocation Construction -1.5 -1.6 1.0 Initiatives Services 6.8 6.5 6.0 Johor 9,161 10,200 1,799 11,999 5.45% Perak 6,558 7,614 1,963 9,577 4.35% p Preliminary Pulau Pinang 4,862 6,152 494 6,646 3.02% f Forecast Melaka 3,542 3,686 291 3,977 1.81% Outlook and Prospects for the Malaysian N Sembilan 5,658 5,884 749 6,633 3.02% Economy in 2006 Selangor 13,863 15,539 2,338 17,877 8.13% W Persekutuan 20,650 31,090 2,043 33,133 15.06% World growth is expected to remain firm at 4.3% while the East Asian Kedah 7,610 7,817 1,093 8,910 4.05% region is expected to sustain at a strong pace of 7 - 7.2% for 2006, Kelantan 3,681 6,651 976 7,627 3.47% especially backed by continued strength in domestic demand and demand for consumer electronic products. Pahang 7,469 9,853 1,228 11,081 5.04% Perlis 1,799 2,201 377 2,578 1.17% The Malaysian economy is expected to strengthen further in 2006 at Sabah 13,180 15,658 1,250 16,908 7.69% a projected GDP growth rate of 6%, driven by improved export Sarawak 12,817 13,437 1,671 15,108 6.87% performance and resilient domestic demand. Terengganu 3,193 5,806 1,396 7,202 3.27% The global semiconductor industry which is expected to gain Multi-state 55,957 58,412 2,332 60,744 27.61% momentum in 2006 would bear positively on Malaysia in terms of Total 170,000 200,000 20,000 220,000 100.00% boosting manufactured exports, particularly in computers and semiconductor segments whist the domestic demand would be driven Infrastructure Development Expenditure for Malaysia (RM million) by private consumption as a result of rising income and demographic factor. 8MP 9MP % change Cost-push inflation is expected to rise following the increase in the Transport 30,936.5 30,304.4 -2% price of petroleum products on 28 February, 2006 and peak in the Roads 18,451.4 17,303.1 -6% first half of the year. Subsequently, inflation is likely to ease in the Urban Transport 706.6 1,565.5 122% 3rd quarter 2006. For 2006 as a whole, the average rate of inflation Rail 5,270.1 3,634.9 -31% is estimated to be in the range of 3.5% to 4%. Ports 2,443.0 1,290.0 -47% On 22 February, 2006, the OPR was raised by 25 basis points to 3.25%, Airports 1,779.3 2,868.5 61% the 2nd time in 3 months. The change in the rates is expected to keep Rural roads 2,286.1 3,642.4 59% inflation rate at the current levels. Two or more hikes are expected Utilities 7,752.7 16,540.5 113% for the rest of 2006, bringing the OPR to 3.75% by end of 2006. This Water Supply 3,882.9 8,203.6 111% would further push up bank lending rates. Sewerage 1,347.9 3,132.8 132%

Source: BNM Annual Report, 22/3/2006 Rural water 733.9 1,206.5 64% Flood mitigation 1,788.0 3,997.6 124% THE 9th MALAYSIA PLAN Total 38,689.2 46,844.9 21%

nd The 9MP is crucial as it marks the beginning of the 2 phase of Vision Fund allocation for Sarawak under the 9MP by item in rd 2020 and the final phase in the 3 Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3) the Construction Sector (2001-2010). The 1st Phase of the Vision 2020 emphasis was on physical development (infrastructural) to contribute towards economic Item (RM milion) and social development. Rural roads upgrade 702 Rural water supply 396 nd The 2 and current phase will emphasise on development Agriculture 150 aspects to optimize utilization of available physical development. The Poverty Eradication 139 OPP3 strives to achieve sustainable growth rate with resilience to develop Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy and build a united Business & Industrial 72 and equitable society. Development of customary and native land 1000 Teachers’ Quarters (including Sabah) 143 Page 6 Volume 4, Issue 1 New Releases

KUCHING Plus Avenue and University Mall

Plus Avenue Universiti Mall

Plus Forever, the developer for Eden Condominium has ventured into conventional housing with the launch of Plus NEW PROJECTS NEW Avenue located off Jalan offering 21 double storey terraced units priced from RM268,000, 2 double storey semi-detached units and 1 detached lot. It has also launched a shophouse project called Universiti Mall just before the 3rd roundabout of the Outer Ring Road (next to Unimas) with prices ranging from RM858,000 to RM1,588,000.

Merdang Garden, Merbau Garden and APT Garden

A few sizeable housing projects along Jalan Muara Tuang, namely Merdang Garden (42 units), Merbau Garden (88 units) and APT Garden (115 units) developed by Yeshome Development Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, Evergreen Icon Sdn Bhd were recently launched, offering mostly single storey units including low cost plus units with prices starting from RM168,000 for the former and from RM115,000 for the latter. The double storey terraced houses are priced from RM208,000 and single storey semi-detached from RM225,000.

Petra Jaya Projects Some housing projects launched at Petra Jaya area for the 1st Quarter 2006 are : ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Heritage Garden ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Casa Mutiara Taman Nuri Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman, Petra Jaya Jalan Depo, Petra Jaya Petra Jaya No. of Units : 104 units No. of Units : 47 No. of Units : 6 69 DST (From RM300K) 39 DST (From RM235K) 6 DSSD (From RM425K) 18 DSSD (From RM420K) 8 DSSD (From RM330K) Developed by Hart Builders SB 14 3SH (From RM1 million) Detached Lots ○○○○○ 1 food court Developed by Mahligai Kekal SB 2 detached lots Developed by : E-Heritage SB SARAWAK PROPERTY BULLETIN Page 7

MIRI

Taman Jelita (Taman Tunku Phase 2)

Taman Jelita located at Taman Tunku is a sizeable development of mixed housing comprising 233 units of single storey terraced units and 44 units of double storey terraced units with price ranging from RM129,888 to RM175,888 for the single storey units (from 71.0 sm) and from RM183,888 to RM221,780 (133.0 sm) for the double storey units. The project is developed by Kumpulan Parabena.

Bandar Baru Permyjaya

Type of Property: Single-storey terraced dwelling house Double-storey detached dwelling house Single-storey detached dwelling house No Of Unit: 54 units 12 units 6 units Price (RM): DH1TH From RM112,888 onwards From RM 502,888 Type A - RM268,888 Type B - RM259,888 Land Area: From 150.14 s.m From 732.07 s.m Type A - 709.80 s.m Type B - 638.98 s.m Wall Up Area: From 75.0 s.m 262.75 s.m 126.0 s.m Completion Date: 2006 NA NA Description: Desa Murni, Bandar Baru Permyjaya Viola, Prima Villa Desa Indah 1 & 2, Bandar Baru Permyjaya

Taman Soon Hup

Taman Soon Hup, developed by Islandmate Development Sdn Bhd offers 73 double-storey terrace units with wall up area of 131.25 sm and 30 single-storey terrace units with wall up area of 69.51 sm priced from RM208,800 and RM80,000 respectively. The land area varies from 149.7 sm for the single storey terrace to 174 sm for the double storey terrace. Page 8 Volume 4, Issue 1

SIBU Taman Fabulous, Sibu

Developed by Fabulous Enterprise Sdn Bhd at Jalan Lada, Taman Fabulous consists of 71 housing units of 14 double storey semi-detached and 57 double storey terraced with prices ranging from RM218,000 to RM270,000 for land areas of between 202.3 to 283.2 sq metres. Season Park II

Season Park II was launched on 27/3/2006 by Pembinaan Jingco Sdn Bhd at Jalan Teku, Sibu offering a total of 57 housing, namely 8 units of double-storey semi- detached, 33 units of double-storey terraced and 16 units of single-storey terraced. The price of the single storey terrace range from RM162,000 to RM192,000, the double-storey terrace from RM225,000 to RM275,000 and the double-storey semi- detached starts from RM335,000.

BINTULU Medan Ginseng

Medan Ginseng is a new residential development to the west of Jalan Sibiyu launched by Paling Construction Sdn Bhd in February 2006. It consists of 57 units of double storey terraced (RM198,000 - RM270,000), 10 units of double storey semi-detached (RM320,000-RM370,000), 16 units of single storey low cost terraced (RM40,000 - RM47,000) and detached plots with various designs.

NEW PROJECTS SUMMARY QTR 1 2006

New Residential Projects launched for 1st Quarter 2006 Type Kuching Sibu Bintulu DH1T 685 57 16 317 DH1.5T 45 0 0 0 DH2T 187 208 57 123 DH1SD 24 0 0 6 DH2SD 78 32 10 6 DH1D 1 0 0 6 DH2D 5 0 0 12 Total 1025 297 83 470 Source: WTWY Research, 2006

Selling Prices of residential units launched for 1st Quarter 2006 Type Kuching Sibu Bintulu Miri DH1LC 85,000 - 40,000 - 47,000 - DH1T 129,000 - 222,000 145,000 - 192,000 - 80,000 - 175,888 DH2T 235,000-350,000 218,000 - 355,000 198,000 - 270,000 183,888 - 389,000 DH1SD 228,000-278,000 - - 318,000 - 388,000 DH2SD 330,000-508,000 From 335,000 320,000 - 370,000 398,000 - 418,000 DH1D 640,000 - - 259,888 - 268,888 DH2D - - - 502,888 onwards

Source: WTWY Research, 2006 SARAWAK PROPERTY BULLETIN Page 9

LOW COST HOUSING PROJECTS

LOWER QUOTA FOR LOW COST KUCHING HOUSING ALLOCATION RM150 million road projects for HSL The quota ruling in respect of low cost houses for private housing developers have been eased from 30% to 10%. Under the Hock Seng Lee Berhad (HSL) has received letters of relaxed policy, the developers can now opt to use the other intent from the Sarawak government through the Public 20% quota for medium low cost houses priced between Works Department (JKR) for two new road projects RM48,000 to RM80,000. The low-cost houses are priced worth some RM150 million : between RM40,000 to RM47,000. This quota ruling would apply to any scheme covering more than 10 acres in the major towns • Construction and completion of the proposed in Sarawak. Semariang Riverine Loop Road in Kuching (which W S N E includes a new 11 km road along a low-lying Source : The Star, 14/1/2006 coastal stretch, 7 major bridges, several minor RUMAH MESRA RAKYAT (RMR) crossings and associated drainage and culvert works) to be undertaken on a design and build basis over 30 months worth RM70.1 million; The Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) is a people-friendly housing scheme between the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) • Construction of an access road linking a and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB). RMR housing Technology Park to Kampong Tanjong Bako scheme will see the construction of RMR homes on state land incolving a 12-km new 2-lane carriageway, three or individual land owned by Sarawakians aged not more than bridge crossings and associated drainage and 65 years old with an income of less than RM1,000 a month, culvert works, with an estimated value of RM79.8 and who can afford to buy a house. HDC will manage the million over 30 months ownership and repayment of these houses. The contracts are expected to be paid in cash and For a start, 196 RMR units have been planned in Kpg Bako kind through allocation of State land which would serve in Kuching and Kpg Petanak in Mukah, with a total target of to enhance its property development arm. 1,000 units by end of 2006. Each house would have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to be built on land or on stilts, with a build Source : KLSE Announcement Ref. No. HS-060220-51952 dated 20/2/2006 up area of 700 or 1,000 sq feet. 1/3 of the construction cost would be subsidized by the Federal Government, meaning a Expansion Works at Swinburne remainder of RM35,000 would be paid by the houseowner over a period of 32 years at RM100 per month. Low and medium Extension works for Swinburne University of low affordable houses would be capped between RM47,000 Technology Sarawak Campus valued at a contract sum and RM80,000. of RM68.5 million signed between Pometia Sdn Bhd Source : The Borneo Post, 7/3/2006 and PPES Works Sdn Bhd have already started, with RM60 million awarded for the extension of the campus CLASS F CONTRACTORS FOR “RMR’’ and RM8.5 million for 2 blocks of 4-storey student’s PROJECTS hostel. The extended facilities will include 44 engineering, science and research labs, 24 computer Class F contractors would be given RMR project jobs whose labs, a conference facility which can accommodate up project value is not more than RM250,000. Under the scheme, to 450 people, a lecture theatre for 380 students, a each Class F contractor would be awarded 3 or 4 units of RMR new library, a multi-level car park structure and a sports houses to construct , and once finished, they could be given hall which would be complete in October 2007 while another batch of houses to build. the hostels would be completed in August 2006.

Source : The Borneo Post, 7/3/2006 Student intake is expected to reach 5,000 by 2010 from the current 1,000 students. REVIVAL OF ABANDONED HOUSING Source : The Borneo Post, 7/3/2006 PROJECTS 5.3 million passengers for KIA by 2012 The Ministry of Housing Sarawak will work together with Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) to revive abandoned With the completion of the Kuching International housing projects in Sarawak and prevent recurrence. Under Airport, it will be able to handle some 5.3 million the project this year, the Ministry hopes to revive 13 abandoned passengers by 2012 at the rate of 7% increase per housing projects worth RM196 million. The Bintulu Port Staff annum, playing its role as the 3rd largest airport in the Housing Project which was abandoned in 2003 due to financial country, after KLIA ( International Airport) difficulties by the developers has been successfully revived. and KKIA ( International Airport). The The development which consists of 426 houses on a 70-acre new terminal would have a space load of 46,000 sq land was rehabilitated at a cost of RM33 million. Works started metres compared to 23,000 sq metres previously. in January, 2004 and the completed project was officially handed over to Bintulu Port on 18/3/2006. Source : Sarawak Tribune, 17/1/2006

Adapted from The See Hua daily News, 18/3/2006 and The Borneo Post dated 19/3/2006 Page 10 Volume 4, Issue 1

Pasir Panjang Family Park BINTULU

Pasir Panjang, Santubong, approximate 40 kilometres Aluminium Smelter Plant Project away from Kuching City, will soon have a family park called The 2 strongest contender for the aluminium smelter plant Pasir Panjang Family Park close to Pasir Pandak, a project in Bintulu, are CMS Energy Sdn Bhd, a wholly- popular fishing village. It will occupy an area of about owned subsidiary of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd and 400 hectares and will be developed in stages over a Smelter Asia Sdn Bhd with a RM11 billion and RM8 billion timeframe of 10 to 20 years. This would be an ideal family proposal respectively. The proposed aluminium smelter picnic and tourist spot as it is close to many places of plant is expected to take up between 70% and 100% of attractions such as Kampung Buntal, Sarawak Cultural the entire 2,400 MW of power to be produced by the Bakun Village, Damai Resort, Damai Lagoon Resort and dam. Santubong Resort. Source : The Utusan Malaysia, 23/1/2006

The Pasir Panjang Family Park would be complimented by additional facilities such as cable cars that commute to the other Santubong natural attractions, seawater MIRI waterworld/ wet/watersports, fauna garden, rainforest, camping area, jungle trekking pathway/bush walking, NAIM CENDERA hands over Phase I of ILP Miri bicycle path, foodcourt, barbecue facilities and even an Naim Cendera handed over Phase I of Institut Latihan entertainment arcade/theme park that would be able to Perindustrian Miri to the Human Resource Department accommodate about 1600 people. on 7/3/2006. ILP Miri is a 1-stop vocational training institute Adapted from See Hua daily News and International Times, 26/3/2006 for school leavers. Sited on a 60-acre land at Bandar Baru Permyjaya Miri, it is Naim’s flagship property development project in Miri. In 2004, Naim was awarded SIBU the RM76 million contract for the construction and completion of Phase 1 by the Human Resource Sibu-Tanjung Manis Road Department of the Ministry of Human Resources. Work on the project started in August 2004 and was completed Tenders for the soon to be built Sibu-Tanjung Manis Road, ahead of the February 2006 deadline. Phase II consists divided into 2 packages costing RM222 million and RM165 of 53 units of staff quarters, a block of hostels for 200 million respectively, were recently awarded. male students, two faculties for 270 students, a hockey field, a grandstand and 5 types of recreational facilities Package 1 spanning Sibu to Sg Lobah Santubah was and a surau. The contractual date for project completion awarded to Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd, a is February 2007. subsidiary of TRC Synergy Berhad, a public listed company, for a contract sum of RM222 million. The time for completion of the project is 42 months from the Curtin Precinct commencement of works and site possession which would be announced a later date. The construction works of a new township about 2 km

Source : The Borneo Post, 15/3/2006 and KLSE Announcement Ref. No. TS-060329- away from Malaysia’s Curtin University will commence 43306 simultaneously with the 2nd phase extension works of Curtin University which is expected to be completed in Sg Assan Bridge opened to traffic 2008.

The Sg Assan Bridge at Upper Lanang Sibu which is a The proposed development area, costing RM14 million, 4-lane dual carriageway spanning 1.22 km will open to will cover about 400 hectares of the new township, known traffic on 25/4/2006 which is ahead of schedule by a year. as Curtin’s Precinct and is aimed at accommodating the The connecting 20.2 km Pradon-Tg Genting Road will be estimated 2,000 students enrolling into Curtin University upgraded, costing some RM18.3 million to be completed as well as lecturers, international students, administrators within 18 months. etc. The proposed new township area will have properties

Source : Adapted from Sing Chew Jit Poh, 30/3/2006 ranging from double storey shophouses to mixed housing like detached houses, double storey terraced houses and deluxe condominiums.

Adapted from See Hua Daily News, 8/1/2006 SARAWAK PROPERTY BULLETIN Page 11

GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GST) RETAIL SALES GROWTH POSTPONED Year % growth RM billion The GST which was supposed to come into effect on 1995 10.10% 39.7 1st January, 2006 has been deferred to a later date. The 1996 9.40% 43.4 move is to allow more time to further refine the proposed GST model and to ensure that businesses are ready to 1997 7.00% 46.4 implement the new system. 1998 -20.00% 37.1 Source : The New Straits Time, 23/2/2006 1999 7.40% 39.9 2000 10.40% 44.1 2001 1.70% 44.8 2002 3.00% 46.2 2003 3.60% 47.8 2004 8.00% 51.7 2005e 6.50% 55.0 2006f 8.00% 59.4

Source : Retail Group Malaysia 2006

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SHEDA LUNCHEON TALK

A LUNCHEON TALK jointly organized by the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association, RHB Bank Berhad and CH Williams Talhar Wong & Yeo Sdn Bhd was held on 15th February, 2006 at the Grand Ballroom of the Kuching Hilton. Entitled “Sarawak Property Market Report 2005 & Sarawak Property Market Outlook 2006”, the talk was well attended by developers, bankers and business associates and graced by the Assistant Minister of Housing, YB Dr Soon Choon Teck. An overview of the property market in Sarawak for 2005 and the outlook for 2006 including exposition on the factors influencing property demand and market sentiments was presented by Mr Wong Ing Siong, Managing Director of CH Williams, Talhar, Wong & Yeo Sdn Bhd. The Q & A session immediately following saw active participation from the floor. Participants were also treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch at the same venue. Talk presented by Mr Wong Ing Siong, MD of WTWY

Luncheon Talk committee Section of the crowd during the Buffet Lunch WTWY Offices

KUCHING No 9 (First Floor) Jalan Song Thian Cheok P O Box 2236 93744 Kuching MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SARAWAK (MIDS) Sarawak Malaysia LAUNCHES READY-BUILT FACTORIES Tel: 082-246262 Fax: 082-416909 The Ministry of Industrial Development Sarawak recently launched its semi-detached and Email: [email protected] terraced factory units located at in Bako on 17 January, 2006. It is part of Phase 3 of the Demak Laut Industrial Park and the 1st of such project involving sale and SIBU rental of ready-built factories to cater to the needs of SMIs and SMEs. The units launched No 11 & 12, 2nd Floor were 64 units of semi-detached factories for sale from RM450,000 per unit and 18 units of Lorong Kampung Datu 3A terraced factories for rent from RM1,500 per month per unit with special discount for P O Box 1467 . 96008 Sibu The launch was officiated by YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr , Deputy Sarawak Chief Minister and the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Minister of Industrial Malaysia Development Sarawak and attended by well over 200 government officials, investors, Tel: 084-319396 potential buyers/tenants and bankers. Also present at the launch were the assistant Fax: 084-320415 ministers of Industrial Development, YB Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman and YB Encik Larry Sng Email: [email protected] Wei Shuen, Assistant Minister of Environment, Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen and Ministry of Industrial Development Permanent Secretary, Tuan Haji Soedirman Aini. MIRI Lot 1139 Ground & First Floor C.H. Williams, Talhar, Wong & Yeo Sdn Bhd is both the marketing agent and property Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre manager for this project, being appointed as MIDS’ exclusive property consultant for the P O Box 1121 ready-built factories. 98008 Miri Sarawak Malaysia Tel: 085-432821 Fax: 085-411786 Email: [email protected]

BINTULU 1st Floor, 35 BDA/Shahida Commercial Centre Lebuhraya Abang Galau P O Box 363 97008 Bintulu Sarawak Malaysia Tel: 086-335531 Fax: 086-335964 Email: [email protected]

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Published By C H Williams Talhar Wong & Yeo Sdn Bhd (24706-T) Printed By WISMA PRINTING SDN. BHD. (287428-U) Address No. 9, (First Floor), Jalan Song Thian Cheok, Address Lot 1949, Section 66, KTLD, Industrial Estate, P.O. Box 2236, 93744 Kuching. Jalan Tekad, 93450 Kuching. Tel 082-246262 Tel 082-338131

C H Williams Talhar Wong & Yeo Sdn Bhd (24706-T) Chartered Surveyors Kuching Sibu Miri Bintulu Valuers Associate Offices: Kuala Lumpur Estate Agents Alor Star Butterworth Kota Bharu Batu Pahat Property Managers Malacca Real Estate Counselors Kota Kinabalu Sandakan Lahad Datu Development Consultants

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